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136 crane in these holes with their ends resting against the tottering wall. The wall was thus braced so that when it fell it was forced to fall either outward or straight downward.

The only other means of defense that Hugh could think of was to station opposite the expected breach one or two catapults, pointed so as to command the opening when the wall fell. Those archers who could be spared from other parts of the defenses were gathered behind the battlements of the inner wall, with sheaves of arrows, ready to defend the breach. This done, there was nothing more to be provided for the event.

But it was evident to the besiegers as well as to the garrison that the wall could not last much longer, and so they suspended operations until they should be ready to take advantage of the breach—until the troops could be massed ready for an attack. They did not fear that the wall would be repaired, since they had already perceived that for some reason unknown to them, the garrison had made no serious attempt to defend this wall. Indeed, the absence of defense made them the more cautious in pressing the attack, for fear there might be a hidden snare.

During this lull in the battle, the commanders of the garrison were suddenly surprised to hear a